The Pill Tower has dedicated testing centers where Alchemists' ranks can be assessed.
The Alchemist ranks determined by the Pill Tower are the most authoritative and recognized across the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Furthermore, participating in the Pill Gathering itself requires obtaining a rank badge to qualify.
Therefore, to participate in the Pill Gathering, one must acquire an Alchemist rank badge acknowledged by the Pill Tower.
Many people arrive in Holy Pill City in advance precisely to obtain these badges.
Of course, Xiao Li didn't need to jostle with the others.
As a representative of the Ye Family, even though the Ye Family had lost its former glory, they could still pull some strings for something like testing an Alchemist's rank.
Soon, Ye Zhong smoothed things over and took Xiao Li to the testing room.
"The special testing room has fewer people, but the Qiu Family and the Bai Family are currently testing inside. If you mind, we can come back tomorrow," Ye Zhong said, still considering Xiao Li's feelings.
Xiao Li was there to help their Ye Family, so Ye Zhong naturally wanted to ensure his safety and prevent him from being disturbed as much as possible.
"What's there to mind? We'll meet them sooner or later anyway, so getting to know them in advance now is no problem," Xiao Li said.
"Alright, let's go then."
The two walked towards the testing room.
"Heh heh, Ye Zhong, it's you again this year. After all, others know it's embarrassing and don't dare to come." As soon as they entered the testing room, a sharp, piercing voice rang out.
Xiao Li looked over. It was a gray-robed old woman with yellow teeth, followed by three young people, two men and one woman.
Ye Zhong whispered to Xiao Li, "That foul-mouthed old woman is from the Bai Family."
Xiao Li nodded, then looked to the other side. There were also three people: a yellow-robed old man leading a man and a woman behind him.
These were likely the people from the Qiu Family.
Although they didn't speak, their eyes clearly held a hint of disdain.
The Qiu Family and the Bai Family had both been suppressed by the Ye Family in the past. Now that the Ye Family had fallen to this state, they naturally wanted to mock them thoroughly.
"Have the Ye Family people arrived?"
At this moment, an old man in a purple Alchemist robe walked out.
"I apologize for the trouble, Elder Han Li." Ye Zhong slightly cupped his hands and bowed to the old man.
Their relationship was clearly quite good.
Han Li sighed, "Why are you and I still being so polite?"
He didn't want to see the Ye Family in its current state.
However, things were already set in stone and couldn't be changed.
"If I'm not mistaken, if your Ye Family fails to rank in the top three in this assessment, you will completely lose your title as one of the Five Great Families. I wonder if this helper you found is reliable," the old woman from the Bai Family sneered coldly.
Ye Zhong snorted coldly, "That's none of your Bai Family's concern."
"Alright, this is a testing place, not a place for you to argue," Han Li interrupted their confrontation.
"According to first come, first served, the Qiu Family people go first."
When he spoke, everyone else could only obediently stop.
After all, Han Li's status was still quite a bit higher than theirs.
"What rank do you want to test for?"
The two young men from the Qiu Family stepped forward and said, "Sixth-grade Intermediate."
Han Li nodded, "You two enter the Profound Gate. Someone will help you with the test shortly."
Then he looked at the Bai Family, "And you?"
The two young men stepped forward and said, "Sixth-grade Intermediate."
The beautiful woman, however, slightly raised her proud head and said, "Sixth-grade Advanced."
At these words, the Qiu Family's expressions changed slightly, and even Han Li showed a hint of surprise.
"Sixth-grade Advanced, not bad."
To reach Sixth-grade Advanced at such an age, one's talent could be said to be very good—of course, provided she could pass the test.
"What about you?" Han Li finally looked at Xiao Li.
Whether it was the Bai Family or the Qiu Family, the ranks they wanted to test for were actually within Han Li's expectations.
What truly made people curious now was Xiao Li, the person pushed forward by the Ye Family at their most critical moment.
Whether the Ye Family could retain its Elder seat depended on Xiao Li.
"Elder Han Li, what is the highest rank you can test for?"
"Seventh-grade Intermediate."
"Then Seventh-grade Intermediate it is," Xiao Li said calmly.
The entire room suddenly quieted down.
"Ye Zhong, when did your Ye Family also learn such a showy trick?" The old woman from the Bai Family reacted and sneered.
Ye Zhong also sneered, saying, "I naturally believe in the people of my Ye Family."
He might not believe others.
But Xiao Li, he believed he had the ability!
"Elder Han Li, let's begin." Xiao Li said to the still-surprised Han Li.
The latter came back to his senses. He originally wanted to say something, but seeing that both Ye Zhong and Xiao Li had said so, he nodded.
"Then follow me."
Han Li first arranged for the Qiu Family and Bai Family members to go into rooms, then he took Xiao Li alone to another room.
The people inside were testing, and the people outside were waiting.
"Ye Zhong, your Ye Family doesn't need to struggle anymore. I heard the Cao Family wants to intermarry with your Ye Family. You might as well agree; that way, you can still preserve the Ye Family's foundation," the old woman from the Bai Family said again.
In response, Ye Zhong did not reply, only quietly waiting for the assessment test to be completed.
Before long, the people from the Qiu Family and Bai Family had all completed their tests.
Both people from the Qiu Family passed, while one person from the Bai Family did not.
The four who passed all had a glittering Alchemist badge on their chests.
At this moment, everyone was looking at Xiao Li's room, waiting for the results.
They had even prepared their taunts.
Another half an hour passed, and finally, the room door opened.
Xiao Li and Han Li walked out.
The old woman from the Bai Family was about to speak, but her eyes were caught by the Alchemist badge on Xiao Li's chest, which shimmered with seven purplish-gold stars.
Seventh-grade Intermediate Alchemist!
At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on the badge on Xiao Li's chest, stunned.
He actually completed the Seventh-grade Intermediate test?!
Ye Zhong, who was beside him, immediately breathed a sigh of relief, his voice a few shades louder: "Not bad, Seventh-grade Intermediate. Much stronger than those few from your Bai Family."
Mockery, who couldn't do it?
The expressions of the Bai Family members immediately turned somewhat ugly.
The old woman from the Bai Family was somewhat disbelieving and said, "Deacon Han, is this rank badge not mistaken? How could a declining Ye Family possess a Seventh-grade Intermediate Alchemist?"
Han Li gave her a cold, indifferent look: "Are you implying that this old man helped him cheat? Then do you want to apply to the Pill Tower headquarters for a review?"
At these words, the old woman from the Bai Family quickly shook her head: "No, that's not necessary. I believe Deacon Han..."
Her face was as ugly as if she had eaten a dead rat.
Xiao Li was actually a Seventh-grade Intermediate Alchemist; this was a blatant slap to her face!
"Great Elder, let's go. These jumping clowns are too much of an eyesore."
Xiao Li walked past the old woman from the Bai Family, his mocking words ruthlessly piercing through her dignity.
The old woman from the Bai Family was instantly so enraged that her face turned pale.
Now, who was the clown?
She was the clown!